The Primary Care System and Covid-19: a comparative analysis between Belgium, France, Quebec and Switzerland

Abstract

Introduction: Facing COVID-19, most of health care system first responded with the confinement of the population and an increase of intensive care resources. Primary care was then mobilized variably and more or less coordinated. Purpose of research: Comparing the involvement of primary care in four francophone regions with similar primary care to draw lessons for reforms directions in light of the COVID experience. Results: Mobilization of primary care actors was important, heterogeneous and linked to local context and previous dynamics at the territorial level or the practice level except in Quebec where primary care is governed by health authorities. The creation of COVID centers was systematic as “warm practices” in Quebec or left to the initiative of local stakeholders more or less supported by health authorities. Teleconsultation, largely dominated by the use of the telephone, was implemented everywhere, generally supported by flexible and adapted pricing. The performance of diagnostic tests such as vaccination by new professionals within a legal, financial and simple training framework is a major area for improvement. Information systems to assess local needs were insufficient everywhere. Conclusion: The definition of primary care governance methods and, in particular, the link between professionals and public health operators in the four areas studied is a priority area for improvement at both local and national levels.